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Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
I'm looking for a reasonably good-looking low rapid-spreading ground cover
for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. Some areas of my sunny but windy south coastal plot, consist af a soil which is about 90% white limestone dust with only about 10% organic matter. I'd like something that spreads quickly but is also easy to keep under control. If it keeps it's leaves year-round, that would be most suitable. Any suggestions? Thank you... |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
In article , Sacha wrote:
On 2012-02-04 15:48:07 +0000, Jim xyz said: I'm looking for a reasonably good-looking low rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. Some areas of my sunny but windy south coastal plot, consist af a soil which is about 90% white limestone dust with only about 10% organic matter. I'd like something that spreads quickly but is also easy to keep under control. If it keeps it's leaves year-round, that would be most suitable. Any suggestions? Have a look at Concolvulus cneorum - very pretty, low-growing plant. Also rather tender, but that may not matter. I would tend to go for one of the thymes or Helianthemum. Or a mixture. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
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Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony,alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
On 04/02/2012 16:03, Sacha wrote:
On 2012-02-04 15:48:07 +0000, Jim said: I'm looking for a reasonably good-looking low rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. Some areas of my sunny but windy south coastal plot, consist af a soil which is about 90% white limestone dust with only about 10% organic matter. I'd like something that spreads quickly but is also easy to keep under control. If it keeps it's leaves year-round, that would be most suitable. Any suggestions? Thank you... Have a look at Concolvulus cneorum - very pretty, low-growing plant. Low-growing? After a few years it could be a metre high. I'm also not sure how salt-resistant its leaves are. -- Jeff |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony,alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
On 04/02/2012 15:48, Jim xyz wrote:
I'm looking for a reasonably good-looking low rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. Some areas of my sunny but windy south coastal plot, consist af a soil which is about 90% white limestone dust with only about 10% organic matter. I'd like something that spreads quickly but is also easy to keep under control. If it keeps it's leaves year-round, that would be most suitable. Any suggestions? Thank you... 8 possibilities he http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector...69&hg=135&op=2 -- Jeff |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
In article ,
Jim xzy wrote: Thanks for the suggestion. My impression of thymes is that they are very slow to spread. Is Helienthemum quicker? Yes, but you can often get small thyme plants very cheaply, so can buy a dozen. You don't need one with more than a few sprigs and some roots. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
Jeff Layman wrote in
: 8 possibilities he http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector...nm=&sn=188&as= 183&st=163&ms=166&aa=171&gdt=69&hg=135&op=2 Thank for the suggestions. The lavender and wormwood might suit. I'm also very interested in these: Aegopodium Variegatum Dianthus Tiny Rubies Isotoma fluviatilis Thymus coccineus Delosperma cooperi (hardy ice plant) Vinca minor (periwinkle) Does anyone know any pros and cons of the above? Are any unsuitable for poor, alkaline, dry soil and full sun? Thanks.. Jim |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony,alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
On 04/02/2012 23:03, Jim xzy wrote:
Jeff wrote in : 8 possibilities he http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector...nm=&sn=188&as= 183&st=163&ms=166&aa=171&gdt=69&hg=135&op=2 Thank for the suggestions. The lavender and wormwood might suit. I'm also very interested in these: Aegopodium Variegatum Dianthus Tiny Rubies Isotoma fluviatilis Thymus coccineus Delosperma cooperi (hardy ice plant) Vinca minor (periwinkle) Does anyone know any pros and cons of the above? Are any unsuitable for poor, alkaline, dry soil and full sun? Thanks.. Don't touch the Aegopodium with a bargepole. It may be a variegated form, but it's still Ground Elder. It can revert - that''s all you need to know! I doubt it would grow well in dry soil anyway. The Isotoma would need damp soil. The Delosperma might be OK. Depends on how cold it gets where you are. "Hardy" is a relative term... You might also like to consider Carpobrotus edulis (Hottentot Fig). That is a bit invasive down in Cornwall, but might be better behaved elsewhere. -- Jeff |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
In article ,
Jim xzy wrote: Jeff Layman wrote in : 8 possibilities he http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector...nm=&sn=188&as= 183&st=163&ms=166&aa=171&gdt=69&hg=135&op=2 Thank for the suggestions. The lavender and wormwood might suit. I'm also very interested in these: They would, but are not very low-growing. Winter savory and even the marjorams are, but hyssop doesn't cover ground well. Those (and the thymes) are all related, and all can handle those conditions. Aegopodium Variegatum Invasive. Thymus coccineus Similar ones include the native T. serpyllum, T. doefleri (sp?) and others. All will do. Delosperma cooperi (hardy ice plant) Very tender. Maybe not your problem. Vinca minor (periwinkle) Doesn't handle drought well, but survives it. Invasive. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
In article , Sacha wrote:
On 2012-02-04 20:36:20 +0000, Jeff Layman said: Have a look at Concolvulus cneorum - very pretty, low-growing plant. Low-growing? After a few years it could be a metre high. I'm also not sure how salt-resistant its leaves are. Really? I've always known it as salt tolerant and growing to about 50cm, though the height will vary according to location, as with all plants. It won't take the coldest gardens but in a south coast garden which is sunny, it's worth a try, imo. Nope. Sorry. It won't take significant cold, and starts suffering at -5 Celsius, which isn't particularly cold. But I agree that it's worth trying in that location - it IS lovely, all year. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony,alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
On 04/02/2012 23:00, Sacha wrote:
On 2012-02-04 20:36:20 +0000, Jeff said: On 04/02/2012 16:03, Sacha wrote: On 2012-02-04 15:48:07 +0000, Jim said: I'm looking for a reasonably good-looking low rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. Some areas of my sunny but windy south coastal plot, consist af a soil which is about 90% white limestone dust with only about 10% organic matter. I'd like something that spreads quickly but is also easy to keep under control. If it keeps it's leaves year-round, that would be most suitable. Any suggestions? Thank you... Have a look at Concolvulus cneorum - very pretty, low-growing plant. Low-growing? After a few years it could be a metre high. I'm also not sure how salt-resistant its leaves are. Really? I've always known it as salt tolerant and growing to about 50cm, though the height will vary according to location, as with all plants. It won't take the coldest gardens but in a south coast garden which is sunny, it's worth a try, imo. I wasn't sure of its salt-tolerance. A quick google seems to suggest that it is/isn't salt tolerant!... The third photo and comment here would suggest (from experience) it may not be: http://www.dyg.ie/seaside-roof-garden-dalkey -- Jeff |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
Jeff Layman wrote in
: On 04/02/2012 23:03, Jim xzy wrote: Jeff wrote in : 8 possibilities he http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector...s?nm=&sn=188&a s= 183&st=163&ms=166&aa=171&gdt=69&hg=135&op=2 Thank for the suggestions. The lavender and wormwood might suit. I'm also very interested in these: Aegopodium Variegatum Dianthus Tiny Rubies Isotoma fluviatilis Thymus coccineus Delosperma cooperi (hardy ice plant) Vinca minor (periwinkle) Does anyone know any pros and cons of the above? Are any unsuitable for poor, alkaline, dry soil and full sun? Thanks.. Don't touch the Aegopodium with a bargepole. It may be a variegated form, but it's still Ground Elder. It can revert - that''s all you need to know! I doubt it would grow well in dry soil anyway. The Isotoma would need damp soil. The Delosperma might be OK. Depends on how cold it gets where you are. "Hardy" is a relative term... You might also like to consider Carpobrotus edulis (Hottentot Fig). That is a bit invasive down in Cornwall, but might be better behaved elsewhere. Jeff, Thank you kindly for your comments on my list. I looked at some photos of the Hottentot Fig, and it certainly appeals to me, visually. I think the flowers look particularly attractive and unusual. Thanks for that one! Re the hardy ice plant: Winters here are about as mild as any in the UK. We typically get a few frosty nights and about one day of snow, on average.) It does get pretty windy for much of the year, as I am only a few hundred yards from open sea. I'm trying to determine which of the plants mentioned would serve well as an anti-erosion measure. That's because one of the boundaries of my garden is marked by an ancient dry stone wall, going along the top of an earth bank of dry clayey, soil . That bank needs something permanent growing on it, (a) to prevent erosion and (b) to smother weeds, and (c) shade it from the full sun so that it doesn't dry out so severely in Summer. Every time I pull a weed out of that bank, I'm aware that I am weakening it a tiny bit. One day, the wall will collapse, but if I can delay that event by a few years with some suitable ground cover, I'll be happy. The bank gets very, very dry and powdery in Summer. It's almost a miracle that the wall is still standing; I'm sure it has no foundations. Whatever I plant on that bank, it probably shouldn't have roots that go too deep. Otherwise, if the plant dies, the wall will be undermined when the roots rot away. Jim |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
In article ,
says... Jeff Layman wrote in : 8 possibilities he http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector...nm=&sn=188&as= 183&st=163&ms=166&aa=171&gdt=69&hg=135&op=2 Thank for the suggestions. The lavender and wormwood might suit. I'm also very interested in these: Aegopodium Variegatum Dianthus Tiny Rubies Isotoma fluviatilis Thymus coccineus Delosperma cooperi (hardy ice plant) Vinca minor (periwinkle) Does anyone know any pros and cons of the above? Are any unsuitable for poor, alkaline, dry soil and full sun? Thanks.. Jim Periwinkle is a cheap low risk choice for a tough spot; tolerates poor conditions; fast evergreen coloniser, minimum maintenance, tough as old boots. I prefer vinca major, the two "old " ones with large leaves and single blue flowers, one is dark green leaf and the other handsomely variegated. Janet |
Low-growing rapid-spreading ground cover for poor, dry, stony, alkaline soil. (Sunny but windy, Southern plot)?
In article ,
Janet wrote: Periwinkle is a cheap low risk choice for a tough spot; tolerates poor conditions; fast evergreen coloniser, minimum maintenance, tough as old boots. I prefer vinca major, the two "old " ones with large leaves and single blue flowers, one is dark green leaf and the other handsomely variegated. I grow "oxyloba", another old variety with smaller, lighter green, less glossy leaves but very dark, star-shaped flowers. However, ALL Vinca major are seriously invasive - even V. minor is pretty invasive. They are shallow-rooted, so suffer in drought, but V. major is more resistant. Most of the plants mentioned so far will help with erosion and help to reduce weeds. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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